Rule of law reforms in EU accession countries are a key element of a prospering European neighbourhood. Against this backdrop, the project “EU Support for the Rule of Law in North Macedonia”, led by the Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Fundamental and Human Rights and funded by the Directorate-General for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR), achieved several significant advances during its ninth quarter.

During two study visits to Lisbon, focusing on the promotion of European standards in the area of accountability, delegations from North Macedonia gained practical insights into Portugal’s accountability processes and law enforcement system. Participants can now apply the knowledge they gained in their daily work and in the ongoing reforms of the Judicial Council.

At the same time, a study visit to Vienna deepened their understanding of gender-sensitive, victim-centred strategies and supported the development of the new National Strategy for the Prevention and Protection against Gender-Based and Domestic Violence (2026–2033).

Another key event was the workshop on restructuring and developing the Macedonian police at the central, regional, and local levels, held in Skopje on Tuesday, October 21, 2025. The focus was on improving communication and efficiency. At the same time, it provided an opportunity to exchange experiences, learn from European practices, and reflect on the challenges of the ongoing restructuring of the police services. The event was attended by the Minister of the Interior, the Police Director of North Macedonia, and other high-ranking officials. The Director of the Slovenian Criminal Police presented the organizational structure and administrative model.

An additional highlight of the quarter was the training on anti-discrimination in policing for over 400 police cadets in Idrizovo. A team of six trainers worked with the Police Training Centre to improve the skills of the future police officers in the areas of human rights, equal treatment, and professional ethics. The program combined theory and practical exercises to discuss, analyse, and learn how to recognize and prevent discrimination in everyday work. Important topics such as impartiality, equal treatment, and prejudice were discussed. For the police cadets, the training provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on how stereotypes can influence their professional relationships with the general population.